The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1887-05-18
ALL ABOUT THE BAPTISI'S.
MEMBERSitIP OF THE CHURCH IN
THE SOUTHERN STATES,

S'Sh'-SccinR ana BUSINESS Meetings.
Nctter to tho Augusta Chroniclc.)
According to the latest returns, whicl
have been recently made up from oflicia
sources, there arc in tho fourteen South
ern States and the Indian Territor,
2,O5O,0S5 Baptsts. OF these LOGS, II
are white, and arc in accord with the
body known as tho Southern Baptist
Convention. This is the body whose ses
sions have been held in the bcautifu
brown stono cdifcc of the Broadwa,
Church. The building is of ornate de-
sign and modern architecture and ranks
with the churches of which Drs. HEMP.
hill and Willitts arc pastors, as among
the finest and most costly religious cdi.
Ices OF tho South. Through three daily
sessions the spacious auditorium has
been filled with representatives from
every South Of the Pennsylvania line
and the Ohio river From Georgia there
were fifty-fivo delegates, and Georgia
furnishes the president and secretary.
Ihls makes the fifteenth session over
which DIR. Nell, Chancellor of the Uni
Vcrslty, has presided, and the seventh at
which the secretary has served Mt the
long table.
Tho reports of the two Boards of tho
convention, which control the operations
respectively OF home and foreign mis-
slons demonstrate year Of great pros.
porlty. Indeed, | hear from all sides
gratulations from almost every body of
Christians. The year has been one of
large increase i'll numbers and greater
efficiency than for many years past.
Ihere have been contributed, as report
eel to this convention, for foreign mis-
slons $S7, ,S3O. 53, and for homo missions
Sl22,097.2O. The foreign stations of the
convention are established in Brazil,
Mexico, Italy, Africa and China. The
number OF missionaries is 116, and of
churches and stations for preaching IS.
There are % schools, with 5S7 pupils.
Among the many interesting features of
this work abroad was the erection in the
dense population of the city of Shanghai
OF chapel, entirely ut the expense of n
native Christian, and consequently at no
cost to the convention. The whole of
China has been thrown open to Chris
tian missions by imperial cdict.
In the department of home missions
there had been 25l missionaries sus-
tanned who had supplied pulpits at S22
points in the South and tho island of
Cuba. This force of Christian workers
had gathered together 1l9 churches, and
had built 81 new houses of worship at
cost of over 100000. The number of
persons added to the churches was
G,2l2. The most wonderful advance in
Christian missions, considering the time
and means expended, has been that in
the neighboriDg island of Cuba, and it
has been described rs never having been
surpassed in the history OF modern mis-
sions. In December 1855, missionary,
named Diaz, was ordained Mt Key West,
and in the following month church
was constitut H. Havana, which, at the
last report, after ono years operation,
contains over three hundred members,
and two other churches have been cstab-
lished. An attempt is to bo.made in the
immediate future for the erection of a
Baptist house OF worship in Havana.
One of the most important works ac-
complshcd by the Board has been that
of ailording doctrinal and practical in
struction to coiOred ministers and church
officers. A number Of very learned and
able men have been employed in gather
ing these leaders of the negro population
together for the purpose of instruction.
In this work Georgia, Alabama, Florida,
Maryland and Mississippi reap the bcne-
Ats. There are also twenty preachers OF
this race employed in the State of Texas.
About these times there leak out GER
tain little instances OF heroism and sacri-
flee which could not be known, perhaps,
otherwise than through the dry details
of annual reports. One of these con
Germs the Citadel Square Church in
Charleston 1t SO happened that Just
before the terrible earthquake, which
not only shattered their church, but
which also destroyed many of their
homes the process of collecting the reg
ulnr contribution for missions was in
progress. Although dismaycd at the
vast proportions of the calamity upon
them, this church finished their collec-
ton for MISSIONS while without sanct-
nary in which to meet, and whilo they
had nothing but the green sward hight
cned by the smile of Gods sun Where
they could be gathered together. Some
might sneer 1T this enthusiasm and term
IL fanaticism, but to me it looks like
common old fashioned honesty. They
did not own tho money that had been
given for n specific purpose, and nc
right could possibly exist for divertin9
it from the purpose for which it was
given. But it was grand, nevertheless
The speaking in this convention is al
ways OF the highest order of mort. il
takes trcpendous amount of gall III an
ordinary man TO seek to address and in
tarest zoo men drawn from the best and
most advanced and /, 0ughtful men OF
fhe south. SO that when arguments arc
TO be made there is general depend
ence upon the moro able pud eloquent
men. Ono of the Northern. visitors IL
his address quoted the remark of a pris
oner who had been captured by Rome
and after his release and return to his
home, described his oaptors rs o "natioI
of Senators" That might be little
oyerdrawn, but still it is a serious thing
To take the floor before such n body. IL
the calibre is small and the ammunition
weak, the poor fellow soon discovers Il
not by any discourtesy Of the auditors